But instead of tanks, bombs and missiles, this competition is measured in square footage, weight-room equipment and cold-plunge pools.

In an effort to give their players every possible competitive advantage (and to one-up each other), many of the league’s 30 teams have built modern practice facilities over the last decade. In the Eastern Conference alone, five franchises — the Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards — have opened new training centers since 2017. The Detroit Pistons intend to open a new facility later this year.

The Orlando Magic helped usher in the building boom. Amway Center, which opened in 2010, includes a practice court, training and therapy areas and offices for the team’s basketball operations staff. When the arena was completed nine years ago, the Magic’s practice facility was regarded as one of the league’s very best. But not...